Now Commenting On:

OriolesREACH to Host 28th Annual Food and Funds Drive

Email

Print

Press Release |

The Orioles, along with Orioles Wives, Oriole Advocates, WJZ-TV, MASN, and the Maryland Food Bank will hold their 28th annual Food and Funds Drive at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this weekend, July 11-13, during the Orioles' series with the New York Yankees. Members of these groups will collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations from fans at each entrance from the time gates open until the middle of the second inning during games this weekend.

Items most needed at this time according to the Maryland Food Bank are peanut butter, canned chicken, canned tuna, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, and canned fruits and vegetables. Both drives benefit soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters throughout Maryland.

During last year's OriolesREACH Food Drive, more than 9,500 pounds of food and $34,000 in cash donations were collected.

For more information, please call 888-848-BIRD or visit www.orioles.com/community.

SPECIAL CEREMONIES AND INITIATIVES

AMERICAN FLAG FOUNDATION

Before the Orioles' game against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, July 9, the team will host a special pre-game ceremony at Oriole Park for the student winners of the 2014 Philip F. Haxel, Sr. Elementary School Baton of Patriotism Essay Contest. The contest was founded by the American Flag Foundation, the organization that brings the Living American Flag at Fort McHenry and the Traveling Living American Flag to Maryland schools. Mr. Philip F. Haxel, Jr., son of the humanitarian for whom the contest is named, will recognize the winners.

MAJESTIC ALL-STAR SEND-OFF

On Sunday, July 13, the Orioles' 2014 MLB All-Stars will be recognized on the field as part of Majestic's All-Star Game Send-Off. The Orioles will honor NELSON CRUZ, ADAM JONES, and MATT WIETERS by presenting the players with their personalized Majestic All-Star jerseys prior to the start of Sunday's game.

IN THE COMMUNITY

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES "TRADING PLACES" PROMOTION

On Thursday, July 10, ZACH BRITTON and RYAN WEBB will participate in the Southwest Airlines "Trading Places" promotion at BWI Airport. The players will participate in a variety of jobs performed by Southwest Airlines employees including boarding passengers for a departing flight, assisting the crew on the runway with an arriving airplane, and more. This event is not open to the public. Media who wish to cover the event must contact Dan Landson of Southwest Airlines at 214-792-4565 or dan.landson@wnco.com with any questions. Please bring a government issued identification card.

DAVID LOUGH VISITING JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER SPORTS CAMP

On Friday, July 11 from 11:00 a.m. to noon, DAVID LOUGH will visit with children from the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore Sports Camp. He will instruct campers on the basic fundamentals of baseball and sign autographs for those campers participating in the Sports Camp at the Jewish Community Center. This event is not open to the public. The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore is located at 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue Owings Mills, MD 21117.

AT THE BALLPARK

SKIN CANCER SCREENING

Earlier today, the American Dermatology Association provided a free skin cancer screening for Orioles players, coaches, and staff. For over 15 years the American Academy of Dermatology and Major League Baseball have teamed up to educate the public on the dangers of sun exposure and to bring awareness to skin cancer prevention and detection. MLB encourages fans to always remember to apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses, and put on an Orioles cap.

CHEVY YOUTH BASEBALL CLINIC

Earlier today, the Orioles hosted the second of three "Chevy Youth Baseball Clinics" taking place at Oriole Park this summer. One hundred pre-selected children from the surrounding Baltimore metro area took the field from 10:00 a.m. to noon and were instructed in a variety of baseball-related skills including baserunning, batting off of a tee, fielding, and pitching from former Orioles including LARRY BIGBIE, AL BUMBRY, and BILL SWAGGERTY. Participants will receive hot dogs, pretzels and beverages provided by the Orioles. Each participant also received two tickets to tonight's game against the Washington Nationals.

MARIE MILLER TO SING AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

Country music artist MARIE MILLER will perform "America the Beautiful" during the seventh inning stretch on Saturday, July 12 as the Orioles host the New York Yankees. Her singles "6'-2," "You're Not Alone," and "Silent Night" have all made appearances on Billboard's Christian/Gospel Music charts.

ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM

As part of the Orioles' Military Appreciation Program, presented by GEICO, the Orioles and OriolesREACH donate a catered private suite at each Sunday home game at Oriole Park to servicemen and women. This Sunday, July 13, military members from the Luke's Wings will enjoy the game vs. the New York Yankees from a catered suite, have a meet-and-greet with DARREN O'DAY and NICK MARKAKIS, and receive a player T-shirt.

ALUMNI AUTOGRAPH SERIES

Every Monday and Thursday home game, former Orioles players will sign autographs on Eutaw Street as part of the Orioles Alumni Autograph series from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Thursday, July 10, TITO LANDRUM, LARRY SHEETS, and JOSH TOWERS will greet fans and sign autographs.

CHICK-FIL-A HONORARY BAT KIDS

The Orioles have partnered with Chick-fil-A this summer to host the Chick-fil-A Honorary Bat Kids program. Children ages 7-14 can enter by filling out an entry form at participating Chick-fil-A Restaurants or mailing the form directly to the Baltimore Orioles. This program will take place through August 30. One boy and one girl will be selected to be the Honorary Bat Kid at each Orioles home game, excluding Sundays. Winners will receive four tickets to the game, an Orioles T-shirt, hat, and free Chick-fil-A sandwiches for a year. Each winner will also participate in an on-field, pre-game ceremony where they will be presented with an official Honorary Bat Boy/Girl certificate and have a photo opportunity with the Chick-fil-A Cow and Oriole Bird.

STEAL SECOND BASE PRESENTED BY ESSKAY

The Orioles will again feature the Steal Second Base contest for every Sunday home game this season. Presented by ESSKAY, the Steal Second Base contest allows a young fan to participate in a timed race from the grounds crew area in center field to retrieve second base. Fans can sign up for the opportunity at the ballpark at any Fan Assistance Center. The lucky winner will receive four tickets to that day's game, gift certificates to use inside the park, an Orioles jersey and an Orioles prize pack. The contestants will also get to keep the authentic base that they steal. This Sunday's contestant is Cecelia Layfield, an eight year-old from Baltimore.

COMMUNITY BOOTH

During each home game, the Orioles provide a community booth for charitable, non-profit organizations to distribute information, sell raffle tickets, register participants, or conduct health care screenings for Orioles fans. The following groups will be at the community booth, located near Gate D, during this homestand:

DATE ORGANIZATION

Wed, July 9 Eve's Haven International, Inc.

Thur, July 10 Lupus Foundation of America, DC/MD/VA Chapter

Fri, July 11 Baltimore Humane Society

Sat, July 12 Babe Ruth Foundation

Sun, July 13 Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp

ORIOLES REACH GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

This season, OriolesREACH will again host thousands of underprivileged youth as part of the Gameday Experience Program. Group members receive game tickets, concessions vouchers, an Orioles T-shirt, a cap, and transportation to and from the game. Tickets are provided courtesy of Orioles players. Players participating in the program this year include WEI-YIN CHEN, CHRIS DAVIS, J.J. HARDY, TOMMY HUNTER, ADAM JONES, NICK MARKAKIS, BRIAN MATUSZ, CHRIS TILLMAN, and MATT WIETERS. The following organizations will attend games at Oriole Park during this homestand, courtesy of these Orioles players: